7 Key Things You Should Know About Varicose Veins

7 Key Things You Should Know About Varicose Veins : Are you suffering from varicose veins? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that 40 million Americans suffer from varicose veins, and almost 50 percent of those who suffer from varicose veins have a family history of it.

It’s also estimated that 41 percent of women over the age of 50 suffer from varicose veins.

But, what exactly are varicose veins? If you suffer from varicose veins, what do you need to know about them?

Check out this guide to learn the top things you need to know about varicose veins sticking out.

What are Varicose Veins?

Before we dive into what you need to know about varicose veins, let’s first discuss what exactly varicose veins are.

Veins, for those who don’t know, bring blood from different tissues in the body to the heart and lungs so that these organs can get adequate amounts of oxygen.

Varicose veins result when your veins are diseased and abnormal blood flow occurs. This is particularly common in the legs, where blood flow often has to fight the flow of gravity.

When blood flow is fighting the flow of gravity, it results in painful, enlarged and unsightly veins, aka, varicose veins.

What to Know About Varicose Veins

Now that you know what varicose veins are, let’s dive into the top things you should know about varicose veins.

1. Certain Factors Put You at Risk for Varicose Veins
  
  While we know that varicose veins are caused by abnormal blood flow, there are certain risk factors that can make you more susceptible to developing varicose veins. If your veins are weakened or damaged in any way, then you have a higher chance of developing varicose veins. But, what exactly can lead to your veins being weakened or damaged? There are several factors that put you at risk, including:
  - Obesity
  - Age (the older you are, the greater risk you have of developing weakened veins)
  - A sedentary lifestyle
  - Hormones
  - Genes
  - Gender
  In terms of genes, if both of your parents have varicose veins, your chances of developing them are close to 90 percent.
  
  When it comes to gender, daughters have a 60 percent chance of developing varicose veins if one parent has them, while sons only have a 25 percent chance of developing varicose veins.
2. They’re Not Just a Cosmetic Issue
  
  Many people think that varicose veins are a cosmetic issue and nothing more. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Varicose veins can present serious health risks such as skin ulcers, blood clots, and deep vein thrombosis. They can also lead to sores and bleeding. So, if you notice that you have varicose veins, it’s very important that you consult a vein specialist.
3. They’re Different from Spider Veins
  
  Many people think that varicose veins and spider veins are the same thing. However, this is not the case. Spider veins are purple or red in color, small, and they usually tend to be flatter. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are blue, big, and bulgy. While both vein types are common, spider veins are much more common than varicose veins. It’s also important to note that varicose veins require much more intense treatment, which is why it’s so important to see a specialist upon noticing them.
  
  Spider veins are typically harmless. However, they can signify the future development of varicose veins.
4. Treatments Are Available
  
  If you’re anxious about developing varicose veins, it’s very important to know that treatment options are available. One of the best ways to treat the symptoms of varicose veins is to wear compression socks. Compression socks are socks that fit loosely around the feet and then compress upward from the ankle. These socks prevent blood from flowing the wrong way, and they often serve as the first line of treatment for varicose veins. A varicose veins clinic located in dallas suggests other minimally invasive outpatient treatments such as:
  - Thermal laser or thermal radiofrequency ablation
  - Vein removal (also known as phlebectomy)
  - Sclerotherapy- the process of injecting agents in order to scar small veins to make them disappear
  - EVLT vein treatment
  It’s also important to note that there are things you can do to help prevent varicose veins from forming in the first place.
  
  As we mentioned earlier, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are two of the leading risk factors for developing varicose veins, so eating healthy and exercising can play a big role in preventing them.
  
  You should also avoid spending too much time sitting or standing, and you should avoid wearing high heels excessively.
5. They Don’t Just Occur On Your Legs
  
  While your legs are the most commonplace to develop varicose veins on your body, they certainly aren’t the only place where you can develop them. It’s also common to develop varicose veins on your arms, stomach, neck, or anywhere in which you have weakened veins.
6. Varicose Veins Can Cause Pain
  
  Some people experience pain with their varicose veins, while others don’t. If you do suffer from pain, you can also expect to experience the following symptoms:
  - Swelling
  - Burning
  - Itching
  - Fatigue
  - Restless legs
  - Numbness
  - Heaviness
  - Aching
  If you ignore these issues, it could lead to blood clots, so always seek treatments for your varicose veins.
7. Pregnant Woman Are at a High Risk of Developing Varicose Veins
  
  If you become pregnant, you’re at a high risk of developing varicose veins, even if no one in your family suffers from them.
  When you become pregnant, the blood volume in your body increases in order to support the fetus. This results in a decrease in circulation as well as pressure on the veins, particularly in the lower half of the body.
  
  If you develop varicose veins during pregnancy, you should speak to your doctor.

Veins Sticking Out: Are You Ready to Treat Your Varicose Veins?

Now that you’ve read this article about veins sticking out, you should be better prepared to treat your varicose veins.

Also, if you liked this article, be sure to check back in with our blog for more health tips and tricks.